Imperial Biscotti Break
Evil Twin Brewing


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- From:
- Evil Twin Brewing
- New York, United States
- Style:
- Stout - American Imperial
Ranked #377 - ABV:
- 11.5%
- Score:
- 96
Ranked #880 - Avg:
- 4.34 | pDev: 8.53%
- Ratings:
- Status:
- Active
- Rated:
- May 18, 2022
- Added:
- Apr 12, 2012
- Wants:
- 537
- Gots:
- 1,254
SCORE
96
World-Class
96
World-Class


Notes:
The Roman Empire had a certain "je ne sais quoi" - festive food culture, extravagant architecture, and spectacular live entertainment. Some might argue the Emperors were brutal, mad, and hungry for power, and the people vain when taking baths and working out all day. Listen - that's still all part of the secret Imperial ingredient - keep it cool, clean, confident, arrogant, and flamboyant. Forza Imperiale.
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
4.56 by The_Beer_Guru from New York on May 18, 2022
4.25 by BuxMontBeerLover from Pennsylvania on Apr 03, 2022
4.75/5 rDev +9.4%
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by FrauTotenkinder from Missouri
Seconds after drinking, taste biscotti soaked in coffee. Not too sweet, all features fit stout profile. Excellent.
Mar 26, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 4.75 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by FrauTotenkinder from Missouri
Seconds after drinking, taste biscotti soaked in coffee. Not too sweet, all features fit stout profile. Excellent.
Mar 26, 2022
3.72/5 rDev -14.3%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by BigIronH from Michigan
Pours a pitch black with 2 fingers of mocha foam. Sheets of lacing reduce to a thin ring. Nice oily legs on this one. Nose is bitter coffee, chocolate, earth, and biscuit. Taste follows suit with the addition of some nutty notes and Vanilla. Feel is oily, smooth, and quite full. Another good one from Evil Twin.
Feb 27, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 4
by BigIronH from Michigan
Pours a pitch black with 2 fingers of mocha foam. Sheets of lacing reduce to a thin ring. Nice oily legs on this one. Nose is bitter coffee, chocolate, earth, and biscuit. Taste follows suit with the addition of some nutty notes and Vanilla. Feel is oily, smooth, and quite full. Another good one from Evil Twin.
Feb 27, 2022
4 by TMoney2591 from Illinois on Feb 16, 2022
4.81/5 rDev +10.8%
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by DirtyDipa105
You can smell and taste the biscotti so good not overly winey like old coffee that some imperials have. Very smooth velvety mouth feel. I don't pour for head so i can't speak to that. You could wash down a donut or cinnamon roll with this my favorite stout right now.
Feb 04, 2022
look: 4.75 | smell: 5 | taste: 4.75 | feel: 4.75 | overall: 4.75
by DirtyDipa105
You can smell and taste the biscotti so good not overly winey like old coffee that some imperials have. Very smooth velvety mouth feel. I don't pour for head so i can't speak to that. You could wash down a donut or cinnamon roll with this my favorite stout right now.
Feb 04, 2022
3.99 by LunchMoney from Minnesota on Jan 23, 2022
4.21/5 rDev -3%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Bhunt757
EvilTwin does a nice job with this one. Don’t slap IBB with the “another gimmicky pastry stout” label. This beer is complex and well balanced. Bakers chocolate, dark coffee beans, and roasted malts on the palette, finishing with a rich nutty earthiness and just a tinge of vanilla. Pick one up if you see it in the local shop!
Jan 18, 2022
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.25
by Bhunt757
EvilTwin does a nice job with this one. Don’t slap IBB with the “another gimmicky pastry stout” label. This beer is complex and well balanced. Bakers chocolate, dark coffee beans, and roasted malts on the palette, finishing with a rich nutty earthiness and just a tinge of vanilla. Pick one up if you see it in the local shop!
Jan 18, 2022
4.5 by JonB25 from Delaware on Nov 20, 2021
4.25/5 rDev -2.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Bluecrow from New York
-jet tap pour with a thin, tan cap of fine foam and an aroma of anisette and toasted malt.
The flavor matches the nose and the coffee-like bitterness tempers the anisette sweetness quite well.
This is very well executed.
Nov 03, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Bluecrow from New York
-jet tap pour with a thin, tan cap of fine foam and an aroma of anisette and toasted malt.
The flavor matches the nose and the coffee-like bitterness tempers the anisette sweetness quite well.
This is very well executed.
Nov 03, 2021
4.5/5 rDev +3.7%
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by VABA from Virginia
Pours a very dark color with a slight head and lacing
Aroma has generous coffee and chocolate hints
The taste follows the nose with a well balanced coffee and chocolate flavor
A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
A great Imperial Stout
Oct 23, 2021
look: 4.5 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 4.5
by VABA from Virginia
Pours a very dark color with a slight head and lacing
Aroma has generous coffee and chocolate hints
The taste follows the nose with a well balanced coffee and chocolate flavor
A medium bodied decently carbonated beer
A great Imperial Stout
Oct 23, 2021
4.65 by KT3418 from Colorado on Sep 13, 2021
4.28 by HopHead_ from Pennsylvania on Aug 07, 2021
3.99/5 rDev -8.1%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by VoodooBear from Puerto Rico
Presentation: 16 oz. can with a batch number on the bottom but no dates. Served in a tulip glass.
Appearance: The tan, one and a half finger head stays around for a bit and leaves behind a lot of lacing that covers the entire glass. It's a deep, black color.
Smell: It's a strong, sweet aroma at first of molasses, brown sugar, vanilla and even raisins. There's also some coffee in there as well as honey roasted almonds.
Taste: It's a warm flavor of heavily toasted bread, coffee and a touch of roasted nuts in the aftertaste. It's mostly bitter all around with not much sweetness, if any, coming though.
Mouthfeel: It's quite thick and moderately smooth but there's a medium high carbonation crispness in there too that's very noticeable.
Overall: A delicious beer with a lot of character and complexity. The texture is not bad, exactly, but it has a lively carbonation that's not expected for the style. It doesn't ruing the beer but it would be better served by a smoother, lower carbonation mouthfeel.
Jun 22, 2021
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4 | feel: 3.75 | overall: 4
by VoodooBear from Puerto Rico
Presentation: 16 oz. can with a batch number on the bottom but no dates. Served in a tulip glass.
Appearance: The tan, one and a half finger head stays around for a bit and leaves behind a lot of lacing that covers the entire glass. It's a deep, black color.
Smell: It's a strong, sweet aroma at first of molasses, brown sugar, vanilla and even raisins. There's also some coffee in there as well as honey roasted almonds.
Taste: It's a warm flavor of heavily toasted bread, coffee and a touch of roasted nuts in the aftertaste. It's mostly bitter all around with not much sweetness, if any, coming though.
Mouthfeel: It's quite thick and moderately smooth but there's a medium high carbonation crispness in there too that's very noticeable.
Overall: A delicious beer with a lot of character and complexity. The texture is not bad, exactly, but it has a lively carbonation that's not expected for the style. It doesn't ruing the beer but it would be better served by a smoother, lower carbonation mouthfeel.
Jun 22, 2021
4.32/5 rDev -0.5%
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by Viaduck from California
About as dark as can be with an average size tan head. Very sweet fragrance: chocolate, brown sugar, coffee & roasted malt. Sweet but not as much as expected. Very complex & delicious flavor: chocolate, coffee, vanilla, brown sugar, rich & complex roaster malt flavors, mild earthyness & a fair amount of alcohol. Mild mouth & stomach heat with adequate carbonation. Medium viscosity. Evil Twin makes some outstanding beers & this is one of them.
Jun 12, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.5 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4 | overall: 4.5
by Viaduck from California
About as dark as can be with an average size tan head. Very sweet fragrance: chocolate, brown sugar, coffee & roasted malt. Sweet but not as much as expected. Very complex & delicious flavor: chocolate, coffee, vanilla, brown sugar, rich & complex roaster malt flavors, mild earthyness & a fair amount of alcohol. Mild mouth & stomach heat with adequate carbonation. Medium viscosity. Evil Twin makes some outstanding beers & this is one of them.
Jun 12, 2021
4.41 by spookybear on May 16, 2021
4.15 by caffeinelogic from New York on Apr 28, 2021
3.45 by rangerred from Tennessee on Apr 26, 2021
4.37 by Dgman8053 from New York on Mar 24, 2021
4.34/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Rug from Massachusetts
Canned 11/16/20
You know it's odd with this one. I was intrigued when I saw it on the shelf so I said fuck it and just picked it up without much thought. I figured it was a fun, but ultimately throwaway pastry stout. It is only now that I come to review it that I realize it's actually held in pretty high regard here. Hopefully then I'll be getting something that's less gimmicky than I expected
Pours completely pitch black with 2 fingers of dark khaki head that fades to a cap and leaves spotty lacing
This definitely has a defined sweetness in the nose, but it's hidden behind a pretty substantial roast. I'm picking up on aromas of chewy fudge, roasty espresso, creamy vanilla, earthy whiskey (weird bc it's not barrel aged), and some general nuttiness
There is also an incredible balance taste-wise between the dessert aspects and the straight up roasty stout notes. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting toasted almond, roasted malt, lightly acidic coffee, milk chocolate, and rich vanilla. The swallow sweetens up a bit, bringing notes of fudge, soft oak, rich vanilla, dry roasted peanut, and roasted malt
A medium full body pairs with mild tingly carbonation, resulting in a super silky beer that never feels bogged down by the abv or the sweetness. Finishes mostly dry with a sweetness that slowly fades
For a non-BA imperial stout, this had a ton of complexity. Even with what some might consider "unnecessary adjuncts", this beer impressed me quite a bit
Mar 06, 2021
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by Rug from Massachusetts
Canned 11/16/20
You know it's odd with this one. I was intrigued when I saw it on the shelf so I said fuck it and just picked it up without much thought. I figured it was a fun, but ultimately throwaway pastry stout. It is only now that I come to review it that I realize it's actually held in pretty high regard here. Hopefully then I'll be getting something that's less gimmicky than I expected
Pours completely pitch black with 2 fingers of dark khaki head that fades to a cap and leaves spotty lacing
This definitely has a defined sweetness in the nose, but it's hidden behind a pretty substantial roast. I'm picking up on aromas of chewy fudge, roasty espresso, creamy vanilla, earthy whiskey (weird bc it's not barrel aged), and some general nuttiness
There is also an incredible balance taste-wise between the dessert aspects and the straight up roasty stout notes. On the front end of the sip I'm tasting toasted almond, roasted malt, lightly acidic coffee, milk chocolate, and rich vanilla. The swallow sweetens up a bit, bringing notes of fudge, soft oak, rich vanilla, dry roasted peanut, and roasted malt
A medium full body pairs with mild tingly carbonation, resulting in a super silky beer that never feels bogged down by the abv or the sweetness. Finishes mostly dry with a sweetness that slowly fades
For a non-BA imperial stout, this had a ton of complexity. Even with what some might consider "unnecessary adjuncts", this beer impressed me quite a bit
Mar 06, 2021
4.02 by JensUrup from Denmark on Feb 27, 2021
4.34 by BidYouABrew from Washington on Feb 15, 2021
5 by doctorgary from New York on Feb 12, 2021
4.39 by GaryM6 from New York on Jan 28, 2021
4.24 by o29 from Texas on Jan 22, 2021
4.19/5 rDev -3.5%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by vi11am from Pennsylvania
Dark color, small, and light colored head. Smells of espresso and coco, light alcohol. Feels very light and carbonated, not like typical stout. Flavor is strong to start, then eases into a nice biscotti after taste.
Dec 23, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4 | taste: 4.25 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by vi11am from Pennsylvania
Dark color, small, and light colored head. Smells of espresso and coco, light alcohol. Feels very light and carbonated, not like typical stout. Flavor is strong to start, then eases into a nice biscotti after taste.
Dec 23, 2020
4.24 by Taenim from New Jersey on Dec 21, 2020
4.24 by einman from Minnesota on Dec 12, 2020
4.54 by TheCakePounder from Pennsylvania on Dec 08, 2020
4.35 by KingforaDay from New Jersey on Nov 12, 2020
4.34 by RickS95 from Indiana on Oct 10, 2020
4.51 by Jcarriglio from Florida on Sep 15, 2020
3.95 by jstern from California on Jul 08, 2020
3.57/5 rDev -17.7%
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by bret27 from California
From refrigerated can. Purchased at cask Flask Liquors, SJ
L: dark w/tan head
S: sweet, vanilla, chocolate, aluminum.
T: chocolate, bready, coffee, nutty, vanilla frosting donuts? Boozy.
F: moderately thick.
Overall: Just kind of underwhelmed.
Jun 20, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.5 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by bret27 from California
From refrigerated can. Purchased at cask Flask Liquors, SJ
L: dark w/tan head
S: sweet, vanilla, chocolate, aluminum.
T: chocolate, bready, coffee, nutty, vanilla frosting donuts? Boozy.
F: moderately thick.
Overall: Just kind of underwhelmed.
Jun 20, 2020
4.24 by cd34 from Illinois on Jun 19, 2020
4.25 by lebrisa from Connecticut on Jun 04, 2020
3.75/5 rDev -13.6%
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
by Nuttin_but_the_best_Clark from Massachusetts
Nothing about this beer tastes like Biscotti, which are sweet almond or vanilla crackers. This tastes like dunkin donuts coffee with a vanilla shot which was left overnight on the dashboard of a car. Evil Twin is awesome at naming beers that sound delicious but in reality taste nothing like their name implies they will.
Jun 03, 2020
look: 4.5 | smell: 3.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4.5 | overall: 3.75
by Nuttin_but_the_best_Clark from Massachusetts
Nothing about this beer tastes like Biscotti, which are sweet almond or vanilla crackers. This tastes like dunkin donuts coffee with a vanilla shot which was left overnight on the dashboard of a car. Evil Twin is awesome at naming beers that sound delicious but in reality taste nothing like their name implies they will.
Jun 03, 2020
4.79 by BadgerNCarolina from North Carolina on May 30, 2020
4.34/5 rDev 0%
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by BucannonXC5 from California
Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: American Double / Imperial Stout
Glass: Rip Current 8-oz. beer glass
Price: $4.99
From: Bine & Vine Bottle Shop in Normal Heights (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: March 26, 2020
Consumed: March 28, 2020
Misc.: No canned on date
This would be my second time having this, first time reviewing it. Actually brought a bomber of this to the 2019 Firestone Invitational for a bottleshare there, but never opened it and someone else (turns out it was my friend Bill) took it home. Then had a taster of it at The Mayor of Old Town in Fort Collins, Colo., in April 2019, giving it a 4.25 on Untappd and writing, “Tommy likey.” Most of the beer description is nonsense, but the front of the can read, “Imperial stout brewed with coffee and with almond and vanilla added.”
Poured a pitch black color with two fingers of khaki-tan frothy head. Could see a few bubbles creeping up along the sides of the glass. Outstanding layered lacing. Good retention. (Sight - 4.00)
Smelled rich dark coffee, espresso, ash tray, char wood, roasty malts, bitter dark chocolate, cacao, molasses bread, nuts and vanilla. Much of the same from the can. (Smell - 4.25)
Taste followed the nose, maybe just a tad smoother. In order got rich espresso, bitter dark coffee beans, char wood, burnt toast, roasty malts, baker’s chocolate, brownie batter, molasses bread, cacao, roasted nuts, vanilla and toasted caramel. Tasted nowhere near 11.5 pct., maybe 8.5 pct. (Taste - 4.50)
Full body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, bitter finish. (Feel - 4.25)
Just an excellent coffee stout. So damn smooth and flavorful. (Overall - 4.25)
4.34 | 96 | A
May 17, 2020
look: 4 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 4.5 | feel: 4.25 | overall: 4.25
by BucannonXC5 from California
Type: 16-oz. can
Reviewed as: American Double / Imperial Stout
Glass: Rip Current 8-oz. beer glass
Price: $4.99
From: Bine & Vine Bottle Shop in Normal Heights (San Diego), Calif.
Purchased: March 26, 2020
Consumed: March 28, 2020
Misc.: No canned on date
This would be my second time having this, first time reviewing it. Actually brought a bomber of this to the 2019 Firestone Invitational for a bottleshare there, but never opened it and someone else (turns out it was my friend Bill) took it home. Then had a taster of it at The Mayor of Old Town in Fort Collins, Colo., in April 2019, giving it a 4.25 on Untappd and writing, “Tommy likey.” Most of the beer description is nonsense, but the front of the can read, “Imperial stout brewed with coffee and with almond and vanilla added.”
Poured a pitch black color with two fingers of khaki-tan frothy head. Could see a few bubbles creeping up along the sides of the glass. Outstanding layered lacing. Good retention. (Sight - 4.00)
Smelled rich dark coffee, espresso, ash tray, char wood, roasty malts, bitter dark chocolate, cacao, molasses bread, nuts and vanilla. Much of the same from the can. (Smell - 4.25)
Taste followed the nose, maybe just a tad smoother. In order got rich espresso, bitter dark coffee beans, char wood, burnt toast, roasty malts, baker’s chocolate, brownie batter, molasses bread, cacao, roasted nuts, vanilla and toasted caramel. Tasted nowhere near 11.5 pct., maybe 8.5 pct. (Taste - 4.50)
Full body. Creamy texture. Average carbonation. Long, bitter finish. (Feel - 4.25)
Just an excellent coffee stout. So damn smooth and flavorful. (Overall - 4.25)
4.34 | 96 | A
May 17, 2020
3.93/5 rDev -9.4%
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by CTHomer from Connecticut
A: opaque; dark brown in color; 1+ finger dark brown head that receded to a wispy cap; very nice lacing;
S: balanced between deeply roasted grain, vanilla, coffee, and almond;
T: up front, it's deeply roasted grain, coffee, and vanilla; the almond blends in from the middle through the finish; throughout, the alcohol is noticeable - not hot, but more than warming; mild to moderate bitterness at the end;
M: medium to full bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: I realize that it's 11.5% ABV, but the alcohol was too prominent for my taste;
Apr 29, 2020
look: 4.25 | smell: 4.25 | taste: 3.75 | feel: 4 | overall: 3.75
by CTHomer from Connecticut
A: opaque; dark brown in color; 1+ finger dark brown head that receded to a wispy cap; very nice lacing;
S: balanced between deeply roasted grain, vanilla, coffee, and almond;
T: up front, it's deeply roasted grain, coffee, and vanilla; the almond blends in from the middle through the finish; throughout, the alcohol is noticeable - not hot, but more than warming; mild to moderate bitterness at the end;
M: medium to full bodied; moderate carbonation; moderately dry finish;
O: I realize that it's 11.5% ABV, but the alcohol was too prominent for my taste;
Apr 29, 2020
Imperial Biscotti Break from Evil Twin Brewing
Beer rating:
96 out of
100 with
4533 ratings